Welcome to Durham University Working for Us “No Matter Where My Life and Career Have Taken Me, Durham Has Always Held a Special Place in My Heart.”
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Human Resources Welcome to Durham University Working for us “No matter where my life and career have taken me, Durham has always held a special place in my heart.” Sir Thomas Allen, Chancellor of Durham University Durham Cathedral. 3 Welcome to Durham University I am delighted to welcome you to Durham Durham County and the wider region is home University – I hope your association with us to spectacular countryside, a fascinating will be a long and happy one. heritage and vibrant cities. Whatever your interests, you will find much to discover and When you join Durham, you will become part explore. And wherever you go, you can be of a supportive and diverse community that sure of receiving the warm and friendly is committed to creating a positive working welcome for which the people of the North environment and excellent opportunities for East are renowned. our staff. Whether you are considering applying for a Durham has an international reputation, not position here, or are soon to take up your only for world-class research and education, new role with us, we hope you will find the but also for providing students with a rich information in this booklet useful. and well-rounded learning experience through our college communities and extensive extra- curricular activities. As a member of staff, you are also part of these communities so you can enjoy learning, sport, music, cultural activities or just our beautiful surroundings. Professor Stuart Corbridge Vice-Chancellor and Warden Durham University offers an inspiring and exciting place to live and work. Durham City is full of history and tradition with a World Heritage Site at its heart, along with charming streets and beautiful riverside paths. Our contemporary Queen’s Campus, situated near the lively town of Stockton-on-Tees, is purpose-built to deliver our world-class courses and enjoys a striking waterfront setting. Durham Cathedral. Contents: Why Durham University? Why Durham University? 04-05 A staff survey revealed: % are proud to work for Shaped by the past, creating 06 Durham University the future 91 % say it is a good place to work Innovating and leading, 07 90 influencing and informing % feel inspired to do their best 81 work every day. Our colleges 08-09 Staff benefits 10-11 We asked some of our staff why they chose to work at Durham, and have included a selection County Durham and 12-17 of their responses below. North East England “Durham University is difficult for any serious Helping you settle in 18-21 scholar to resist; steeped in history but defined by ambition and excellence, Durham is the Travelling to Durham University 22-23 perfect place to develop one’s work both by advancing ideas in the classroom and by subjecting them to the rigorous but collegial Information for international staff 24 scrutiny of this dynamic community of scholars.” - Work permits, certificates of 25-26 Fiona de Londras, Professor of Law sponsorship and visas - Your first few weeks 27-28 “I came to Durham to experience professional life in a small town, but have found that Durham is - Living in the UK 29-30 international and broad beyond my imagination, while still remaining intimate and enchanting.” Further information 31 Bruno Van-Dyk, Director, Development and Alumni Relations Office Relocated from South Africa 5 Cafe Aroma, Queens Campus. “Durham University was attractive to me for its “…most of all, we were impressed by our future state-of-the-art facilities, collegial and friendly colleagues and staff at the University. For us it working environment as well as the opportunity was a big move coming from the United States, to teach students of the highest calibre. From a but the staff at Durham University made the personal perspective, its good schools and the transition very manageable, and our Business friendly atmosphere of the North East were also School colleagues have been very welcoming. “ important. It is a nice place to raise a family.” Prof Robert Lord and Prof Rosalie Hall, Business School Dr Conor O’Reilly, Research Fellow, Durham Law School Relocated from Ohio, USA Relocated from Portugal with his partner and children “In order to stay in academia, your research “Why would I want to be anywhere else? I feel needs to compete with the best in the field. You I’ve ‘come home’. Durham epitomises all that is can only deliver such results in an environment excellent in University education in England: the that is challenging and gives you the support you atmosphere of discovery through research – that need to accomplish your aims. That’s why I the next great thing is just waiting to be found, chose Durham.” the strong sense of community, and the privilege Dr Michael Knoll, Research Fellow, Business School of sharing this part of life’s journey with so many Relocated from Germany with his partner and children young people who are the future of not only this country but the world.” “Durham University represents an employer Susan Jones, Head of Major Gifts, which invests in its employees, providing Development and Alumni Relations Office opportunities to train, career progression and excellent benefits!” “…I particularly relished the opportunity to Pauline Dowson, PA to the Director of Catering become involved in the colleges, as they provide a unique environment to meet fellow colleagues and the students.” Sophie Daniels, Policy Support Officer Durham University: Shaped by the past, creating the future Durham University is distinctive - a collegiate university with ancient traditions and modern values. We seek to achieve the highest distinction in research and scholarship which make a real difference to societies world- wide. We are equally committed to excellence in all aspects of learning, education and the transmission of knowledge. But Durham University is much more than that. The World Heritage Site at the heart of the City of Durham has been a leading centre of scholarship for over 1000 years, while our cosmopolitan Queen’s Campus is set on the banks of the River Tees in Stockton, with a beauty and character of its own. Queen’s delivers Durham University’s world class research and professional and applied courses in business, education, health and wellbeing. Top: Palatine Centre, bottom left: University College, bottom right: Infinity Bridge, Queens Campus. FACTS AND FIGURES 3RD oldest university in England, after Oxford OVER staff members and Cambridge, and a leading European 8,000 centre of learning for 1,000 years 32% of academic staff are non-UK origin 3 faculties: Arts and Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences and Health 150 countries represented in our staff and student bodies 25 academic departments or schools 5TH in The Complete University Guide 2014 16 colleges - Durham’s distinctive residential and educational communities 6TH in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2014 undergraduates (2013/14) 12,550 WORLD University (THE & QS 2012/13) TOP 100 4,538 postgraduates (2013/14) MAJOR ongoing investment in academic staff, 21% of students are of non-UK origin research and teaching facilities. 7 Innovating & leading As one of the UK’s leading institutions and a world top 100 university, Durham has always been a modern, forward looking university. We were one of the first universities to admit women, to internationalise and award degrees in Africa (over 100 years ago), to develop the sciences, and the first to incorporate civil and mining engineering. We have research and alumni on every continent and in almost every country in the world. Today, we are continuing to provide students with a first-class and unique student experience. Durham’s distinctive approach to research-led teaching ensures that our programmes are cutting edge and intellectually stimulating, while the state- of-the-art Bill Bryson library and the newly opened Palatine Centre enable students to have easy access to all the services they need. Influencing & informing Durham University has nine multidisciplinary research institutes: Biophysical Sciences Institute Research, scholarships and ideas are at the core of Durham University. Durham Energy Institute We are home to some of the most talented Institute for Computational Cosmology researchers and scholars from around the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology world, tackling global issues, and making a Institute of Advanced Research Computing difference to people’s lives. Institute of Advanced Study Research directly informs our undergraduate Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience and postgraduate teaching, and in partnership with policy makers, industry, the public sector Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies and communities around the world, shapes Wolfson Research Institute for Health local, national and international agendas. and Wellbeing. 9 Our colleges As a collegiate university, our 16 colleges play an important role in enhancing the academic and personal development of our students. We encourage you to take part in college life by becoming a college mentor or member of the Senior Common Room (SCR). Being a college mentor is an excellent way to become more involved in university life and develop new friendships. Our college mentor system helps foster a sense of community and provides support and advice to our students. Training is provided, along with regular events enabling you to meet other mentors and share experiences. The SCR is a body made up of past and present members of the University, college tutors and local people with an interest in the college. It is an integral part of the life of any college, and holds a number of dinners, talks and social events throughout the year. Members are also able to use college facilities to meet colleagues and entertain visitors. Left: Hatfield College, top right: St Hild and St Bede bottom right: Collingwood College, far right: Van Mildert College.